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Update 10, which brings offline play to SimCity for the first time, is launching today after successfully coming through final testing. An announcement on the EA forums reads, "Today at 6AM PT we will be releasing Update 10 with Offline play. This involves server down time and the game servers will be unavailable for a few hours."

EA unveiled Update 10 and the new single-player mode back in January, after a 2013 in which the publisher came under severe criticism for implementing an "always-on" system for the city-building sim. That system backfired when servers buckled under the weight.

EA has already said players can access their previously downloaded content in the single-player mode, and they can save their files locally. A new FAQ reveals players still have to sign into Origin to launch the game, but Origin can be put into an offline mode while the single-player mode is being played.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAea-maxismacmaxispcrelease-datesimcity-2013simcity-5single-playerupdate-10Tue, 18 Mar 2014 09:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/16/simcity-offline-mode-update-in-final-testing/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/16/simcity-offline-mode-update-in-final-testing/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/16/simcity-offline-mode-update-in-final-testing/#commentsSimCity's Update 10, a patch that will allow for offline play, is in "final testing," according to a tweet posted on the game's official Twitter account. Update 10 was revealed back in January, shortly after publisher EA and developer Maxis announced that the game would also start supporting mods.

The SimCity saga of server instability and poor service was one of 2013's defining moments in gaming, as well as inspiration for our newly-launched State of Service reviews. The option to play offline has been a long time coming.

Welcome once again to Joystiq Tiny Streams, our new series of bite-sized streams of the Joystiq crew playing the games currently piquing their interest. Alexander Sliwinski, Joystiq's News Content Director, decided that it was high time he get back into city planning with SimCity. Nearly one year after its disastrous release, Alexander wanted to see how the game fared now that it could be played offline by a lone player. As his stream demonstrates, it's a demonstrably less frustrating experience.

For those thirsty for more streaming action, Joystiq Streams from our Twitch channel every Tuesday and Thursday from 4PM EST to 5PM EST. We've got exciting stuff coming up this week, with a stream of Outlast on PS4 on Feb. 11. Anthony John Agnello, who's never played Outlast, will be behind the wheel. On Feb. 13, the good people at Phantom Compass will join Richard Mitchell for a stream of their new pinball RPG, Rollers of the Realm.

For more Tiny Streams, tune back in every Monday and Friday at 4PM EST right here on Joystiq.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>joystiq-streamsjoystiq-tiny-streamspcsimcity-2013simcity-5Mon, 10 Feb 2014 16:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/14/maxis-explains-difficulties-of-removing-simcitys-online-require/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/14/maxis-explains-difficulties-of-removing-simcitys-online-require/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/14/maxis-explains-difficulties-of-removing-simcitys-online-require/#comments
Following word that SimCity will no longer require an Internet connection to function, lead engineer Simon Fox has posted a lengthy explanation of why it took so long for developer Maxis to strip out that much-maligned feature.

"The original creative vision for SimCity was to make a game where every action had an effect on other cities in your region," Fox wrote. "As such, we engineered the game to meet this vision, setting up the player's PC (client) to communicate all of its information to the servers."

Fox then addresses claims made by Maxis general manager Lucy Bradshaw that the game simply couldn't function offline. "Lucy once said that Offline wouldn't be possible 'without a significant amount of engineering work,' and she's right. By the time we're finished we will have spent over [six and a half] months working to write and rewrite core parts of the game to get this to work."

To drive his point home, Fox explains that SimCity was designed from conception to periodically check in with the game's servers. This allows players' cities to communicate with one another (and transfer water, power, garbage and other utilities), as well as the entire SimCity universe. Removing this feature involves writing new code for the game to simulate this transfer of information and resources, which is why it's taken so long for Maxis to remove the online requirement.

Finally, Fox thanks SimCity players for their patience. "We know you want Offline play in SimCity and we are really happy that we are finally getting ready to deliver it to you."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ealucy-bradshawmacmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5simon-foxTue, 14 Jan 2014 16:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/13/simcity-getting-offline-single-player-mode-in-next-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/13/simcity-getting-offline-single-player-mode-in-next-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/13/simcity-getting-offline-single-player-mode-in-next-update/#commentsSimCity will receive an update that allows for offline play in the near future. Arriving as a free download with Update 10 for the game, SimCity's offline play will allow players to access all of their previously downloaded content in the new single player mode. The developer was last exploring the possibility of offline play for the game in October 2013.

While EA did not reveal a full list of details for the update, it did note that single player campaign save files will be stored locally, so players will no longer be required to have an internet connection when playing the game. EA recently allowed for official mod support of the game, which the publisher cites as a major reason for SimCity's new offline mode to begin with. Now, mods can be made "to the game and its components without compromising the integrity of the Online game," an EA blog on the matter says. No release date was given for Update 10, though Maxis is in the "late phases" of wrapping up its development.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-ArtsmacMaxisofflineonlineonline-onlypcsimcity-2013simcity-5Mon, 13 Jan 2014 09:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/11/ea-allowing-official-simcity-mods-imposing-official-restriction/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/11/ea-allowing-official-simcity-mods-imposing-official-restriction/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/11/ea-allowing-official-simcity-mods-imposing-official-restriction/#comments
Modders have never really needed a developer or publisher's blessing to do their work, but EA and Maxis have, nine months post-release, begun to allow official mods for SimCity. There are some caveats to being an official mod however: according to a post on the SimCity blog, you can't modify any executable files (.exe, .dll, .so, etc), can't use copyrighted material, can't use material unbefitting of an E10+ rating, and cannot "jeopardize the integrity of the gameplay" or "affect the simulation for multiplayer games and multiplayer features."

While the first three items on the above list could be described as "restrictive," it's the rules about "jeopardizing the integrity of the gameplay" that raise eyebrows. In March, Maxis General Manager Lucy Bradshaw tweeted that "the game was designed for [multiplayer]," and reiterated in a blog post that a single-player mode "didn't fit with our vision." So if the game was designed with multiplayer as an integral gameplay experience but mods can't affect the multiplayer simulation or "jeopardize" gameplay, this may be the most restrictive clause of all.

EA also has the right to use, copy, modify and/or distribute an official mod without asking the creator's approval, without paying the creator, and without crediting the creator. So feel free to change the game, modders; just don't change it too much, and don't expect to get paid or credited.

Here's the opening cinematic to upcoming expansion SimCity: Cities of Tomorrow, where every home is always online. Although the cities of tomorrow appear to be the same lot size as the SimCities of today, at least you can build it up vertically.

It seems appropriate that the launch trailer for Cities of Tomorrow, a SimCity expansion which pushes your virtual society 50 years into the future, should arrive today, more than two weeks before its November 12 debut.

SimCity expansion "Cities of Tomorrow" will hold the foundations for future urban planners starting November 12. Here's Lead Designer Stone Librande giving a tour of the scientific discoveries your Sims will have access to for $30. That's the price of time travel nowadays.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-Artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 16 Oct 2013 02:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/10/04/simcity-developers-exploring-potential-offline-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/10/04/simcity-developers-exploring-potential-offline-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/10/04/simcity-developers-exploring-potential-offline-mode/#comments
EA Maxis revealed today that it is exploring the possibility of adding a long-requested offline mode to its city-building strategy game SimCity.

"Right now we have a team specifically focused on exploring the possibility of an offline mode," Maxis Emeryville's General Manager Patrick Buechner said. "I can't make any promises on when we will have more information, but we know this is something that many of our players have been asking for."

Overloaded servers and other issues left many SimCity players unable to access the online-only game after its launch earlier this year. Responding to player feedback, Maxis later noted that SimCity's online connection requirements were essential to the game's operation, though rumored insider claims and player mods suggested otherwise.

"While the server connectivity issues are behind us, we would like to give our players the ability to play even if they choose not to connect," Buechner adds. "An offline mode would have the additional benefit of providing room to the modding community to experiment without interfering or breaking the multiplayer experience."

Buechner notes that Maxis is also looking into the possibility of expanding player city size, and has opened discussion regarding support for user-generated content.

SimCity is heading to the future with the "Cities of Tomorrow" expansion pack, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for November 12. Taking place 50 years in the future, new technologies allow Sims to travel by MagLev trains, use fusion reactors and "tidal wave generators." Surfs up, man! What do you mean that's not what tidal wave generator means? Well,maybe you should figure out a better word!

There's also the classic future quandary of creating clean technology or encouraging giant corporations to strip the planet of resources. Nope, wait, that's a current problem. The game will also get around the issue of smaller lot sizes by allowing players to build up in "multi-zone MegaTowers that extend high into the sky." The expansion is priced at $30.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmacmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5simcity-cities-of-tomorrowThu, 19 Sep 2013 18:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/17/ea-teaming-up-with-red-cross-for-charitable-simcity-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/17/ea-teaming-up-with-red-cross-for-charitable-simcity-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/17/ea-teaming-up-with-red-cross-for-charitable-simcity-dlc/#comments
EA is partnering with the Red Cross for special SimCity DLC, the publisher announced. The partnership brings a Red Cross-themed set to the game for $9.99, available to purchase on Origin today for one year. SimCity owners that pick the set up will be able to build Red Cross centers and tents in the game, which offer aid to natural disaster victims in players' cities.

EA said it will give at least 80 percent of proceeds from the Red Cross DLC with a minimum of $100,000 "to support humanitarian services of the participating Red Cross National Societies," of which there are ten across the globe.

Currently, a widely reported bug prevents the Mac version of SimCity from running in full-screen mode. Some players are unable to complete installation, rendering the game unplayable. For Mac users, the problems encountered thus far seem to stem from technical hiccups, rather than the server-side issues that plagued the Windows version after its launch earlier this year.

EA Maxis has acknowledged the reported problems in a recent update, and has suggested solutions for affected players.

[Update: A Maxis spokesperson has contacted Joystiq, noting that many of these problems were fixed in the game's latest update. "We are pleased to advise that the installation-related issues some players experienced with SimCity on Mac have been resolved," the spokesperson said.]

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-maxiselectronic-artsmacsimcity-2013simcity-5Fri, 30 Aug 2013 13:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/29/psa-simcity-now-available-on-mac/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/29/psa-simcity-now-available-on-mac/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/29/psa-simcity-now-available-on-mac/#comments
Five months after SimCity made its debut on Windows platforms, EA's latest city-building simulator has finally reached OS X. Anxious Mac owners will recall that the ribbon-cutting ceremony on this version of the game was initially slated to occur in June, but the launch ran into a number of delays.

Unfortunately, it appears that the technical issues have yet to be entirely stamped out. As TUAW points out, EA's official SimCity forums are currently receiving numerous complaints from would-be players. The reported issues range from graphical corruption to having to install and reinstall Origin numerous times just to get the game running. EA has been replying to player complaints and says it is looking into these issues, but so far the publisher has yet to offer any solutions. This leaves players in a situation eerily similar to that faced by PC gamers when SimCity launched in March.

SimCity for Mac is currently available via EA's Origin digital distribution platform in two different iterations: the standard release, which features a $40 price tag for the core game and the "Plumbob Park" DLC pack, or the $60 Digital Deluxe edition, which offers three additional European-themed city packs and the "Heroes And Villains" DLC.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmacmaxissimcity-2013Thu, 29 Aug 2013 15:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/12/simcity-update-7-0-adds-bridges-tunnels-traffic-tune-ups-and-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/12/simcity-update-7-0-adds-bridges-tunnels-traffic-tune-ups-and-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/12/simcity-update-7-0-adds-bridges-tunnels-traffic-tune-ups-and-t/#commentsSimCity update 7.0 is scheduled to arrive in a city near you (that you created) in August, and it's bringing some traffic updates along for the ride. Update 7.0 adds the ability to raise and lower roads to build bridges and tunnels, as demonstrated by Lead Gameplay Scripter Guillaume Pierre.

The update also allows players to plant trees. This mechanic is inspired by a mod, and includes three tree types that grow roadside and four that can flourish anywhere, Pierre says in a series of tweets. The greenery joins asphalt-based operations improvements outlined by Software Engineer (and Captain?) Alexander Harkness in a recent SimCity blog post.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAMaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5updateMon, 12 Aug 2013 16:05:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/05/simcity-zones-for-mac-on-august-29/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/05/simcity-zones-for-mac-on-august-29/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/05/simcity-zones-for-mac-on-august-29/#comments
The Mac version of SimCity will finally cut the ribbon on August 29. Electronic Arts also reiterated that the game is cross-platform, so Mac and PC players can build together, and those who purchased the PC game on Origin can download it again on Mac.

Originally planned for June, the game's OSX debut was delayed to work out quality issues. Despite a problematic launch, SimCity has gone on to sell over 2 million units.

SimCity has built sales of over 2 million units, according to EA Labels President Frank Gibeau. In a recent interview with VentureBeat, Gibeau noted the biggest takeaway the company took from the game's disastrous launch was how lucky it was SimCity has such loyal fans. Preach!

"Since then, we've sold more than 2 million units, and the number of people logging in and playing is holding steady," said Gibeau. "SimCity is a success. However, underestimating demand in the first month was a major miss. We hope that the game and the service we've provided since then meets the fans' high standards."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-ArtsFrank-Gibeaumaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 24 Jul 2013 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/29/airships-arrive-in-simcity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/29/airships-arrive-in-simcity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/29/airships-arrive-in-simcity/#comments
The world's most whimsically impractical mode of transportation (read: airships) is now available to SimCity mayors willing to part with about $9. This means that Goodyear tire enthusiasts and steampunk aficionados alike can now bond even more deeply over their shared love of lighter-than-air travel, provided they've already bonded over their shared love of city-building games. Look, we're still working on this fanfic.

The Airships Set, available on Origin for $8.99, includes an "Airship Hanger" for receiving/removing tourists, a "Commuter Airship Mooring" for local metropolitan commuters, two hot air balloon parks and "Event blimps" that appear during sporting events and the like. The set also includes two achievements, neither of which involve declaring the relative humanity of something, at least as far as we know.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airshipairshipsblimpblimpsDLCEAelectronic-artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Sat, 29 Jun 2013 22:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/06/simcity-mac-delayed-until-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/06/simcity-mac-delayed-until-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/06/simcity-mac-delayed-until-august/#comments
Originally scheduled to have its groundbreaking ceremony take place sometime in June, the Mac OSX version of SimCity won't be accepting new residents until August, Maxis has announced.

"We have made this tough decision because we do not believe it is ready for primetime yet," senior producer Kip Katsarelis said in the announcement. "We want to ensure the Mac is a great experience for our players and that is why we are taking more time." As an expression of gratitude for their patience, Mac mayors will receive the "Launch Park" awarded to early adopters of the PC version in Update 4.

Meanwhile, Update 5 for the PC version is expected to hit "in a couple weeks," patch notes for which can be uncovered by clickin' all up on the source link below.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delayEAEA-Gamesmacmac-versionMaxisOSXsimcity-2013simcity-5Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/29/simcity-amusement-park-set-open-for-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/29/simcity-amusement-park-set-open-for-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/29/simcity-amusement-park-set-open-for-business/#commentsSimCity's "Amusement Park Set" is available now to fill up those tiny land plots with as many carnival rides and roller coasters as you can muster.

The DLC, which features several different amusements to generate cash, bring in tourists and boost the local economy, has a price of $10. The pack's cost is in line with the previously released British, German and French DLC building sets.

The DLC set follows last week's addition of the 4.0 update (v1.4 if we're being realistic) for the game. The patch introduces several fixes to SimCity, in addition to a new region and park.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 29 May 2013 22:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/simcity-4-0-update-detailed/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/simcity-4-0-update-detailed/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/simcity-4-0-update-detailed/#commentsSimCity's 4.0 patch - whose numbering nomenclature has certainly sent developers everywhere into a death spiral - should arrive shortly. The update adds a new park, new region, more explicit details on what generates happiness, and the usual set of fixes.

The update comes a week before the "Amusement Park Pack," which is scheduled to launch on May 28. EA announced earlier this month that the game has gone on to sell 1.6 million copies despite its launch complications.

SimCity's "Amusement Park Pack," which leaked like oil out of a tea cup ride a tad early, has been confirmed to arrive in two weeks by developer Maxis.

"Some of you may have seen thrilling new SimCity content that arrived too early at the gate. It's coming May 28th. We think you'll be amused," the official SimCity Facebook page now notes.

The pack will allow mayors to lay out the park how they wish, featuring several different rides and customizable entrances. The park will also generate cash by bringing in shoppers, tourists and boosting the local commercial economy. No price was listed for the expansion.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-Artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Thu, 16 May 2013 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/simcity-sales-reach-1-6-million-50-sales-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/simcity-sales-reach-1-6-million-50-sales-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/simcity-sales-reach-1-6-million-50-sales-online/#comments
Electronic Arts announced as part of its year-end financials that SimCity has sold 1.6 million units since its launch in March.

The company noted that 50 percent of sales were "digital downloads." Since the city-builder is only available through EA's Origin digital distribution network, we deduce that to mean 800k sales through there.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-Artspcsimcity-2013simcity-5Tue, 07 May 2013 16:17:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/simcity-3-0-update-out-this-week-attempts-to-fix-traffic-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/simcity-3-0-update-out-this-week-attempts-to-fix-traffic-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/simcity-3-0-update-out-this-week-attempts-to-fix-traffic-again/#commentsSimCity will receive the 3.0 update this week, which will hopefully go down smoother than 2.0 released in late April. The 3.0 update (listed after the break) tweaks traffic routing, phantom air pollution, stuck school buses and university students crossing roads. Apparently SimCity grammar schools didn't implement the "buddy system" as a road-crossing teaching tool.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-Artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Tue, 07 May 2013 08:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/simcity-2-0-fixes-bugs-but-adds-new-ones-users-complain/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/simcity-2-0-fixes-bugs-but-adds-new-ones-users-complain/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/simcity-2-0-fixes-bugs-but-adds-new-ones-users-complain/#commentsThe big SimCity 2.0 update dropped on Monday and even though it fixes its fair share of bugs, the update seems to have introduced new issues. Players have taken to Reddit and the EA forums, complaining of increased sewage levels and spontaneous pollution.

Taxis are crowding cities and some SimCity players have found their production rates slowed when in Cheetah Mode. Others are complaining of impotent firetrucks, unable to combat fires across the city, while others are reporting their cities are reverting to older saves. For some, buildings are endlessly mired in construction and never finish.

EA has yet to comment, so we've contacted the company to find out how it plans to address these complaints. SimCity currently has over 1.1 million players and is slated to launch on Mac in June.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-maxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/simcity-2-0-update-on-april-22-mayors-getting-mansions/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/simcity-2-0-update-on-april-22-mayors-getting-mansions/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/simcity-2-0-update-on-april-22-mayors-getting-mansions/#commentsEA will issue a patch for SimCity on Monday, April 22 at 4pm ET. SimCity v2.0 will be the game's first substantial update, adding mansions for mayors, fixing issues with Colorblind mode and squashing some of the bugs scurrying around in the game code. EA Maxis says players should expect server outages "for a few hours" while the update rolls out.

Some of the issues surrounding city processing will be resolved, as will problems with spontaneous fluctuations of tourists, school buses getting stuck, sudden air pollution creeping in, and more. The full list of changes is published on the EA Maxis forums.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-maxispatchpcsimcity-2013simcity-5updateversion-2version-2.0Sat, 20 Apr 2013 02:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/simcity-cheetah-speed-returns-mac-version-in-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/simcity-cheetah-speed-returns-mac-version-in-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/simcity-cheetah-speed-returns-mac-version-in-june/#commentsAfter several "non-critical" SimCity features were disabled over a month ago to improve server stability, one of the most significant is finally back online. SimCity players can now enable Cheetah Speed once again, invigorating their tiny Sims to work harder and faster than ever. Maxis is also working on "Update 2.0," though no date was offered regarding its expected release.

In other virtual city planning news, the Mac version of SimCity will be released on June 11. The Mac release will be available exclusively via Origin, with no plans for a retail version. As a nice bonus, those who own the PC version will automatically have access to the Mac version. Likewise, Mac players will be able to download the PC version at no extra cost. Cross-platform play between each version will be supported.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/simcity-dlc-is-a-nissan-leaf-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/simcity-dlc-is-a-nissan-leaf-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/simcity-dlc-is-a-nissan-leaf-ad/#commentsSimCity might be best known for its massive logistical problems, but, well, alternate sources of revenue are not among those problems. That part is locked down. By visiting this Origin page and then restarting the always-online game, you'll get access to the "Nissan Leaf Charging Station," which lets your Sims charge little Nissan Leafs (Leaves?), making them and neighboring businesses happy.

The Leaf Charging Station creates no garbage or sewage, highlighting the "green" qualities of the electric car ... but it somehow also doesn't use any power. If you want to volunteer to be advertised to, you have six months; the item won't be available after that.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmacnissan-leafpcsimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/buy-dove-products-get-20-off-dead-space-3-simcity-or-most-wa/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/buy-dove-products-get-20-off-dead-space-3-simcity-or-most-wa/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/buy-dove-products-get-20-off-dead-space-3-simcity-or-most-wa/#commentsSoften the financial impact of Dead Space 3, SimCity, or Need for Speed Most Wanted, while you soften your skin, with an entirely random Amazon deal. Right now, through some totally nonsensical co-marketing, you get the $20 discount off of one of those three EA games if you buy $15 worth of "Dove Men + Care" products, including deodorant, soap, or shampoo.

The limited edition of SimCity is currently already discounted to $40, so this deal takes it down to an effective $20, provided you also need some unnecessarily gender-specific hygiene products.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonmicrosoftpcplaystationps3simcity-2013simcity-5xboxMon, 25 Mar 2013 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/metareview-simcity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/metareview-simcity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/metareview-simcity/#commentsWell, it's been two weeks since the calamitous launch of the SimCity reboot and the game currently has a Metacritic score lower than the abysmalResident Evil 6. A small blessing for developer Maxis? SimCity dodges being the highest profile stinker of this still burgeoning year thanks to the dishonor of the utterly broken Aliens: Colonial Marines.

GameTrailers(80/100): "Aside from some issues with its online requirements, bugs, and restrictions on city size, it's still a satisfying and addicting simulator that will grant dozens of hours of entertainment with one well-designed city alone."

GiantBomb(60/100): "And while I expect many will fall head-over-heels in love with this SimCity's cooperative design, at its best, the game feels more like a really thoughtfully designed multiplayer mode for a larger, single-player capable game that, sadly, doesn't exist."

Gamespot(50/100): "The bugs will probably be fixed, the wrinkles smoothed, and the online problems sorted out. What hurts most, though, is that it didn't have to be this way. SimCity's makers looked to MMOGs for ideas on how to bring players together, but didn't absorb the lessons MMOG developers learned long ago on how to implement practical online play."

Eurogamer(40/100): "There was a time, perhaps eight or nine hours in, when I wondered why SimCity was so easy. Nobody ever complained about the air pollution, while using my depot to sell my recycling netted me endless profits. I kept playing because, back then, I kept having fun, I kept trying new things and I kept convincing myself that I was a good Mayor. Now I know that it was never really down to me."

Destructoid(40/100): "I wanted to like this game, I really did. At first I started to enjoy it, but soon all I found was frustration. I can't recommend this game to anyone, and I don't want to play it anymore myself because I am afraid of seeing all my efforts lost due to server issues."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxisMetareviewmetareviewspcsimcity-2013simcity-5Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/simcity-sales-surpass-1-1-million-in-two-weeks/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/simcity-sales-surpass-1-1-million-in-two-weeks/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/simcity-sales-surpass-1-1-million-in-two-weeks/#commentsDespite all of its launch complications, EA Maxis' series reboot SimCity has managed to sell over one million copies since launching two weeks ago. EA reports this is the biggest launch for the franchise, the majority of players - 54%, EA says - choosing to download SimCity. In fact, EA says 44% of total SimCity sales went directly through the publisher's digital distribution platform, Origin.

Two weeks ago, EA disabled some "non-critical" SimCity features in the interest of improving server issues. Also, EA added more servers and sought to quell dissatisfied customers with a free PC game. If you purchase and register SimCity before next week, you can choose between a free copy of Mass Effect 3, Battlefield 3, SimCity 4, Need for Speed: Most Wanted or one of several other eligible games.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-maxisoriginpcsalessimcity-2013simcity-5Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/ea-offers-choice-of-mass-effect-3-simcity-4-more-for-simcity-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/ea-offers-choice-of-mass-effect-3-simcity-4-more-for-simcity-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/ea-offers-choice-of-mass-effect-3-simcity-4-more-for-simcity-p/#commentsAs part of its efforts to re-endear customers to the new SimCity, EA is handing out one free Origin game to all players, from a choice of Battlefield 3, Bejeweled 3, Dead Space 3, Mass Effect 3, Medal of Honor Warfighter, Need for Speed Most Wanted, Plants vs. Zombies and SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition. To be eligible for a free game, players must register their copies of SimCity before March 25 at 11:59 p.m. PDT, and must claim a free game before March 30 at 11:59 PDT.

Underage players will automatically receive a copy of Bejeweled 3 and SimCity 4.

Many players worldwide were unable to connect to Maxis servers following SimCity's launch in early March, locking the game completely since it requires an always-on connection. In the weeks after its release, EA and Maxis dropped "non-critical" features from the game and added servers to allow players to connect, and are now in the process of re-adding these lost features. This fiasco frustrated many players, as did the game itself.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-ArtsfreeMaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:53:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/maxis-simcitys-internet-requirement-not-a-clandestine-drm-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/maxis-simcitys-internet-requirement-not-a-clandestine-drm-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/maxis-simcitys-internet-requirement-not-a-clandestine-drm-st/#commentsFollowing claims yesterday that SimCity had been modified to run offline in a limited capacity, Maxis/EA general manager Lucy Bradshaw has since updated EA's official blog with a bulleted reiteration of Maxis' always-on design philosophy for the game.

In the missive, Bradshaw dismisses claims that SimCity's internet connectivity requirements are in reality "a clandestine strategy to control players" while listing a few of the ways in which server connectivity is essential to the design of the game, though she does not directly address whether the game can be played completely offline in its current form.

"So, could we have built a subset offline mode? Yes," Bradshaw added. "But we rejected that idea because it didn't fit with our vision. We did not focus on the 'single city in isolation' that we have delivered in past SimCities. We recognize that there are fans - people who love the original SimCity - who want that."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>always-onlinedigital-rights-managementdrmEAElectronic-ArtsLucy-BradshawMaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/upcoming-simcity-patch-to-resolve-traffic-jams-features-returni/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/upcoming-simcity-patch-to-resolve-traffic-jams-features-returni/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/upcoming-simcity-patch-to-resolve-traffic-jams-features-returni/#commentsServer issues aside, SimCity players have noticed some other problems with Maxis' latest simulation game. One of the more obvious ones involves SimCity's traffic, as vehicles tend to take the shortest possible route between destinations. As a result, shorter roads wind up with traffic jams, even if there are wider roads available.

Maxis is working on a patch to solve this problem, as detailed by lead designer Stone Librande on the SimCity blog. The patch will essentially force cars to choose different routes as other routes become more clogged, which should help cities to run more smoothly. Furthermore, multiple service vehicles (fire trucks, etc) will no longer crowd around a given event, addressing one of the complaints from our review.

Finally, Librande noted that many SimCity features - recently disabled to lighten the server load - are "slowly" returning. Regional achievements have been reactivated on "a select number of servers," and leaderboards are now active on the Test server. Librande asks willing players to join the Test server in order to "expedite the timeframe in which [leaderboards are] brought back to the rest of our servers."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eamaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/rumor-simcity-modded-to-disable-disconnection-timer-open-debug/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/rumor-simcity-modded-to-disable-disconnection-timer-open-debug/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/rumor-simcity-modded-to-disable-disconnection-timer-open-debug/#commentsReddit user AzzerUK claims to have enabled SimCity's debug mode and to have disabled its disconnection timer, both of which imply that there is more to the game's inner workings than EA and Maxis originally stated.

Currently, a user that loses their connection to the server during gameplay will be logged out of the game after 20 minutes. This is supposedly because the client must sync simulation data back to the server on a regular basis, in order to ease the computational load on the user's machine and to ensure the simulation as a whole runs smoothly.

Though not demonstrated in the video above, AzzerUK claims to have disabled that disconnection timer, and that playing an offline city for extended periods of time resulted in no issues with the simulation itself. Since SimCity does not support local saves in any way, it is not possible for AzzerUK to actually save anything that happens in his offline city, but the important thing is that the simulation reportedly did not come to a screeching halt after being unable to sync with the server.

The modder/hacker also claims to have enabled SimCity's debug mode, which allows for cities to be edited beyond their typically imposed borders. Though clipping and texture mapping issues are easily visible in the above clip, the traditionally impossible highways created at least appear to function properly. This supposes that, at least theoretically, the game is capable of supporting city sizes that are larger than what is currently available.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-sizedebugEAElectronic-ArtshackhackedMaxismodmoddedofflinepcsimcity-2013simcity-5Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/simcity-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/simcity-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/simcity-review/#commentsI've written five different openings to this SimCity review over three days. Some felt ignorant of the game's disastrous launch, an element I openly wrestled with before writing this review. Others were too aggressive and awkwardly angry. I fired blindly with some fluffy paragraph about the fun of building, but that seemed disingenuous. I'm unlikely to go back to SimCity for some time. The game simply isn't fun.

Like 2003's SimCity 4, this new SimCity uses a regional map divided into playable zones that interact with one another, transporting commuters and allowing for a level of specialization in particular zones. Unlike SimCity 4's sprawling megalopolis created from a massive grid of connected tiles, the new SimCity's region zones are separated by gaps (think of a subway map where you play the stations but not the lines between). The current region selection supports as little as two and up to 16 zones.

SimCity is very user friendly and a hallmark of modern interface design and simulation transparency. I must stress that I'm speaking specifically about when players are in their particular zone, not when they are trying to discern anything from a regional perspective. Pipes and electricity now run along roads, removing two dull mayoral duties seen in previous games. Crime, pollution, education, and just about every other chart is no longer presented in some tiny pop-up window, but is instead delivered in full graphical glory as an overlay on the main game screen. It's also great that players can now expand on buildings, like giving the police more cars or adding classrooms to schools, but this also begins to highlight the cramped size of the zones.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/rumor-simcitys-servers-less-necessary-than-ea-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/rumor-simcitys-servers-less-necessary-than-ea-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/rumor-simcitys-servers-less-necessary-than-ea-claims/#commentsThough EA's official stance on SimCity's persistent Internet connection has been that it's absolutely required for the core game to function, a report from Rock, Paper, Shotgun claims that is not the case. An inside source who asked to remain anonymous told RPS the online servers are "not handling any of the computation done to simulate the city you are playing."

According to the source, the servers are coordinating social messages between cities in a region, as well as "cloud storage of save games, interfacing with Origin, and all of that. But for the game itself? No, they're not doing anything."

Even when the servers go down, certain cities have stayed online and playable for a period of time, suggesting off-site computation is not entangled in the main gameplay loop. The RPS source claims servers are also being used to repeatedly check for instances of hacking and cheating - and the game's verification messages to servers are creating queues and hampering responsiveness.

Finally, the source casts doubt on EA's claims that a single-player version of this SimCity would be impossible to produce. "It wouldn't take very much engineering to give you a limited single-player game without all the nifty region stuff." EA's current public reasoning about why the game needs to stay online has done little to quell frustration voiced over the game's tremendous launch issues.

The status page comes a week after the game's disastrous launch, which saw servers overwhelmed and players unable to access the game with any regularity up into the weekend, when developer Maxis added more servers.

Maxis General Manager Lucy Bradshaw noted on Sunday that the core problems plaguing the game were "almost behind" them.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxispcserversimcity-2013simcity-5Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:40:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/nma-summarizes-simcity-woes-sort-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/nma-summarizes-simcity-woes-sort-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/nma-summarizes-simcity-woes-sort-of/#commentsThe SimCity servers may still be having problems, but good news: NMA's video rendering servers are working just fine.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macnmanma-tvpcsimcitysimcity-2013simcity-5Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/tomb-raider-ascends-to-the-peak-of-this-weeks-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/tomb-raider-ascends-to-the-peak-of-this-weeks-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/tomb-raider-ascends-to-the-peak-of-this-weeks-uk-charts/#commentsLara Croft is the leader of the UK pack for the first time in nearly seven years, and she's there in some style too. Not only does Tomb Raider slot into the top spot in this week's UK charts, but it's easily the country's biggest launch of the year so far. True, the game's first week sales are boosted by arriving on a Tuesday rather than the typical Friday, but the same can be said for Aliens: Colonial Marines, the UK's previous biggest first-week seller in 2013. Tomb Raider's opening week beats that of Colonial Marines' by over double, which is particularly telling. After all, according to Crystal Dynamics, Lara's reboot notched up a million sales in under two days.

SimCity is the week's other big name release. Despite releasing on a Friday and, more pertinently, all its troubles across the ocean, the city builder installs itself in second place. On that Sim-note, the newly released University Life expansion for Sims 3 provides a timely reminder of the franchise's selling power by scoring fourth place, beaten by fellow new release Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3, which arrives in at a very respectable third place.

That means after two weeks at the top, it's down to sixth for Crysis 3, while Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance clings onto the top ten in ninth place. Tumbling their ways out are Colonial Marines and Dead Space 3, down in 15th and 19th respectively.